New York Times report: Gaza flotilla activists allege beatings and abuse in Israeli detention
An investigation published by The New York Times on Friday provides new details of allegations by activists aboard a Gaza-bound flotilla concerning beatings and, in one instance, sexual assault following their interception by Israeli forces. Israel has repeatedly denied these allegations. Since May 18, Israeli forces have detained more than 430 activists from various countries after intercepting their vessels in international waters. The activists were attempting to break the naval blockade of Gaza and were deported to their home countries after a period of detention in Israel. Their initial allegations emerged in discussions with Israeli legal aid groups and subsequently sparked international outrage upon their return home. The New York Times stated it interviewed 24 activists, 23 of whom spoke on the record, and reviewed their medical records with their consent. Twenty-two said they were targeted in physical attacks, one witnessed such an attack, and a medic stated they tried to treat the injuries of victims. According to the activists, they were beaten, targeted with Tasers, and struck with projectiles they described as rubber bullets or beanbag rounds. The newspaper reported that seven of them were hospitalized and six provided documentation detailing broken ribs, fractured vertebrae, a broken tailbone, gunshot wounds, and a collapsed lung. Many activists said they were attacked aboard their ships while being transferred from the sea to Israel. They also reported the deployment of stun grenades and the firing of rubber bullets. Others stated they were transferred to a container on a prison ship and punched and kicked by officers while their hands and feet were bound. Juliet Lamont, a 55-year-old Australian activist and filmmaker, told The New York Times that she was beaten and sexually assaulted inside the container. She alleged that her hands and feet were bound, five men struck her ribs and face, and chunks of her hair were pulled out. Lamont said that at one point her underwear was pulled down and an object was inserted into her vagina. She stated the object was hand-sized and did not feel like a metal weapon. According to the report, Lamont underwent a sexual assault examination eight days later at a hospital in Australia. The New York Times obtained a letter from a sexual assault referral centre in New South Wales confirming the provision of emergency department care and ongoing medical support, though the test results were not detailed in the letter. The Israeli Foreign Ministry previously called Lamont's allegation a "blatant lie" and stated it would investigate if a formal complaint was lodged. The Israeli military and the Israel Prison Service have denied the activists' claims. The Prison Service stated that detainees were held "in accordance with the law and with full respect for their basic rights" and received necessary, professional medical care. In response to accusations of physical and psychological violence, sexual harassment, abuse, and assault, the service described the claims as "completely devoid of factual basis." Israel has termed the flotilla a "propaganda stunt serving Hamas." The flotilla was led by the Turkish humanitarian organization IHH, which Israel designates as a terrorist group and which also organized the Mavi Marmara flotilla in 2010. During that confrontation, 10 Turkish activists were killed in clashes with Israeli naval commandos. Italy and France have launched investigations into the actions of Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir against their nationals, including allegations of torture and the abduction of activists. Flotilla organizers state their aim was to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza, whereas aid agencies report the territory continues to face shortages despite a US-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas that has been in place since October 2025 and guarantees increased aid. Israel maintains that such flotillas typically carry only symbolic amounts of aid and refuse to hand it over for overland transfer into Gaza.